Presenting a best of episode with all the favorite moments from our mini series on Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
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Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, 2017-01-09 00:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Presenting a best of episode with all the favorite moments from our mini series on Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.
Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, 2017-01-02 00:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
On the day of it’s release in December of 2016, Griffin and David discussed the highly anticipated spinoff Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Together they examine the new planets, Darth Vader’s milk bath, Peter Cushing’s return and why Star Wars films require great jackets.
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Follow us @blankcheckpod on 2016-12-17 00:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Our special episode this week: a discussion of 1997’s spy comedy The Man Who Knew Too Little. But how would you picture a Boris the Butcher to look? What are Producer Ben’s favorite bits? And why does Griffin know so much about box office stats? Together they examine the different phases of Bill Murray’s career, Peter Gallagher’s eyebrows, and Griffin’s access to the fabled Murray 1-800 number.
On September 11th, Blank Check & friends attended the Cirque du Soleil/Avatar crossover Toruk: First Flight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. But is this show more than just rope dancing? Was the Toruk app worth the download? Does this tie into the upcoming 4 sequels slated to be released? Join #thetwofriends, guest Rachel Lang and Producer Ben as they guide you through the live experience including reverse puppetry, how much they spent on their drinks, the condiment stands, electio...
2016-12-04 00:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
This week the BC crew discusses 2009’s 3D sci-fi epic Avatar. But are trees nature’s internet? Is this the ultimate cultural appropriation movie? Does the public need four more Avatar movies? Together they examine the performances of the cast including Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Giovanni Ribisi, breaking box office records, review the winners of the Academy Award for Best Cinematography over the last few years and argue about Coraline. Plus, another merchandise spotlight and announce t...
2016-11-27 00:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Griffin and David this week discussed two documentaries directed by James Cameron: 2003’s Ghost of the Abyss and 2006’s Aliens of the Deep. But what were the early days of IMAX like? What kind of very rich person loves risking their lives in a submarine? Does David or Producer Ben rep Jupiter's moon, Europa, harder? Together, they examine Bill Paxton’s Texas accent, water drones James & Elwood and play a double dose of the box office game.
Griffin and David continue their discussion of Titanic with Emily Yoshida (Spin Magazine) and Katey Rich (Vanity Fair). But are Cameron’s drawings basic? Why is Neil deGrasse Tyson such a star bummer? Could a car really get THAT steamy? Together, they examine Paul Rudd as Jack, the STDs of 1912, CD-rom game Titanic: Adventure Out of Time and theorize why this is a mall movie.
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2016-11-12 00:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Emily Yoshida (Spin Magazine) and Katey Rich (Vanity Fair) return to discuss 1997’s epic romance Titanic with special guest Charlie “the baby” Rich! Thats right, Blank Check has brought IN the women and children to our podboat to dive deep into some ice-cold analysis. But how important is water in Cameron’s life? What about Bill Paxton’s huge earring? Whats the artist’s name something Picasso? Together they examine Leo mania, the performances of Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Victor Ga...
2016-11-04 00:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Griffin and David this week discuss 1994’s action comedy remake, True Lies. But how does this film relate to Cameron’s marriages? Was the character Spencer Trilby, played by Charlton Heston, an intentional Nick Fury rip off? Just how gross is the interrogation scene? Join #thetwofriends examine Jamie Lee Curtis’ career, the BAFTA awards, the Flintstones movie and balloon metaphors. Plus, the return of Yarnel!
Days before its official release, Griffin and David discussed 2016's action thriller sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.
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Follow us @blankcheckpod on Instagram, 2016-10-23 23:29:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Sam Rogal (Magnet Theatre) joins Griffin and David to discuss the 1991 hit sequel Terminator 2: Judgement Day. But do the special effects still hold up over twenty years later? What influenced the decision to make Arnold Schwarzenegger a good robot? Did Planet Hollywood ever serve a dish called pasta la vista? Together they examine the performances of Robert Patrick and Linda Hamilton, the comical amount of people shot in the knees, Arnold’s post hits career and lava in the 90’s.
Josh Ruben (CollegeHumor) joins Griffin and David to discuss the 1989 underwater alien thriller The Abyss. But why exactly is this movie impossible to find anywhere on the internet? Just how much of wet nightmare was this production for the cast and crew? What ARE some things to do in Denver when you’re dead? Together they draw parallels certain between the lead characters failing marriage, share Chris Elliott scoops, examine Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ’s career and why Ed Harris refuses...
2016-10-07 21:54:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Fran Hoepfner (ClickHole) joins Griffin and David to discuss the 1986 horror/sci-fi sequel Aliens. But how did James go about pitching this project to studio executives? What exactly is Paul Reiser mad about? Could Private Vasquez be anymore of a badass? Together they share their thoughts on Cameron’s masterful storytelling, Sigourney Weaver’s outstanding performance, milk blood, pleasant adult flirting and more!
Rachel Sanders (Buzzfeed) joins Griffin and David to discuss James Cameron’s 1984 game changing action sci-fi, The Terminator. But why did this movie become a model for major studios for the next 30+ years? How has the special effects aged? What happened to Pugsley the iguana and did he continue to work in Hollywood? Together they examine the outstanding performances of Hamilton, Schwarzenegger and Biehn, the weird sex scene, Cameron’s many marriages and O.J. Simpson rumored as a potentia...
2016-09-25 22:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
In the debut episode of a new mini series examining the filmography of James Cameron, Griffin and David discuss 1981’s B horror, Piranha II: The Spawning. But what is the story behind Cameron’s first “unofficial” offering as a director? What was the main request from the italian financiers of this film? In it’s 84 minute runtime are there more fish or people spawning? Together #thetwofriends delve into Cameron’s early career, share their mutual appreciation for actor Lance Henriks...
2016-09-18 22:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Griffin, David and guest host Producer Ben present a special episode this week: a discussion of 1995’s action thriller Under Siege 2: Dark Territory.
But is it true the co-founder of CAA and former Disney president, Michael Ovitz, bet he could make even a stocky Aikido teacher with zero acting experience a star? Does Hollywood make these b-list midsize action movies anymore? Is Steven Seagal our quietest action hero?
Together the trio examines New Zealand director and journeyman...
2016-09-07 17:11:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Musician and Blank Check theme song creator Layne Montgomery (The Romantic Comedy) joins #thetwofriends to lock the gates in our final episode of the Cameron Crowe mini series and discuss Crowe’s most recent project, the Showtime series Roadies. But does Cameron’s return to his roots pay off? Is the portrayal of the music industry actually relevant? Will this show get another season? Together the gang examines the ten episodes (so you don’t have to) including Ron White’s performance a...
2016-09-04 21:16:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Nearing the end of the Cameron Crowe mini series, Esther Zuckerman (The A.V. Club) joins Griffin and David to discuss the writer/director’s most recent theatrical release, 2015’s space militarization romantic comedy, Aloha. But doesn’t someone in Emma Stone’s camp look at this script and see at least a few red flags? Why is the movie set in Hawaii but features 99% white people? How do you make being a fighter pilot sound sexy if you’re a woman? Together, they examine Alec Baldwin’...
2016-08-26 22:38:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Griffin and David this week discuss 2011’s zoo dramedy, We Bought a Zoo. But does the film live up to it’s title? Does someone actually buy a zoo? Together #thetwofriends examine the performances of Elle Fanning, ScarJo and John Michael Higgins as ‘Bad Zoo Boy’, propose better titles, the most embarrassing movie you’ve cried during and ghost Moms.
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2016-08-22 00:22:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Blank Check returns to Cameron Crowe’s filmography with an in-depth discussion of 2005’s tragic comedy, Elizabethtown. But how would one best describe the custom exercise bike Bloom’s character outfits with knives? Would Marc Maron have been better suited for the lead role? Wait, Paula Deen is in this movie? Together, Griffin and David examine the careers of Kirsten Dunst and Alec Baldwin, writer Nathan Rabin’s coining of the term “manic pixie dream girl,” Ashton Kutcher’s previ...
2016-08-11 19:54:00 +0000 UTC View Post
On the day of it’s release in August of 2016, Griffin and David discussed DC Comic’s latest offering Suicide Squad. But did Jared Leto going so method for The Joker pay off? What’s up with Katana’s sword and does it by any chance capture souls? What’s this talk of Marvel paying off critics? Together the hosts examine Will Smith’s performance as Deadshot, Warner Bros. Pictures desperate strategy for the DC franchise and offer up their own ways to fix this mess of a movie. Plus, did...
2016-08-06 22:42:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Live from the 18th annual Del Close Marathon in New York City, John Trowbridge (Huffington Post) joins Griffin and David to discuss the Cameron Crowe directed, 2002 Gap commercial entitled “Denim Invasion.” What details can be drawn from this 40 second spot? How does it relate to Ashton Kutcher being fired from Elizabethtown? Where is the proto-flash mob running to? Also featuring surprise appearances from Murf Meyer and Diana Kolsky (Ménage à Trois Radio) for a Burger Report, as well a...
2016-07-26 20:59:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Richard Lawson (Vanity Fair) returns to Blank Check this week to discuss 2001’s Vanilla Sky. But just how blue collar is actor Timothy Spall? Does Tom Cruise’s character, the media magnate, also know director Steven Spielberg? Does your body make a promise when you sleep with someone? Together, they examine Penelope Cruz’s crossover performance, Cruise’s acting while masked, living in a post-Shrek America, and bucket hats.
The BC crew sets their sights on the Academy Award winning, semi-autobiographical film, Almost Famous. But what are some of the differences between the theatrical release and Untitled: The Bootleg Cut? What are Griffin and David’s thoughts on Marc Maron and Jimmy Fallon’s cameos? How has Billy Crudup’s career trajectory drastically changed since 2000? Together, Griffin and David discuss Philip Seymour Hoffman’s stellar performance as legendary rock critic Lester Bangs, Kate Hudson’s...
2016-07-15 19:18:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Griffin and David this week “show you the money” with 1996’s decade defining film Jerry Maguire. What was the impact of this movie? How many memorable terms and phrases did Crowe invent that have gone on to become common place vernacular in our culture? How great is Renée Zellweger? Together they discuss the plot’s many layers, Jay Mohr as the perfect asshole, Oscar trivia and express a lot of appreciation for Jonathan Lipnicki’s stellar performance as the insanely cute kid.
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2016-07-07 17:33:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Griffin and David look to Crowe’s next film, 1992’s Grunge-tinged romcom Singles. But how realistically does this movie, set in Seattle, portray yuppie culture? Who the hell is actor Campbell Scott and why is he in a leading role? What’s with Producer Ben’s fascination with 90’s technology? Together, they examine making out with Paul Giamatti, various grunge musician cameos, “super” trains and terrible 90’s fashion. Also, a very special edition of Burger Report/Orange Twist Fi...
2016-06-30 18:40:00 +0000 UTC View Post
In the debut episode of a new mini-series examining the filmography of Cameron Crowe, Griffin and David discuss the iconic 1989 romcom: Say Anything… What is Crowe’s origin story? How was he involved with Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Is this John Cusack’s career defining performance? Together, the BC crew talks romcom troupes, a young Fraiser’s Dad (John Mahoney) progressive father-daughter relationship, marrying the cast of Friends and singing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” P...
2016-06-23 15:41:00 +0000 UTC View Post
In this week’s special episode, guest host Producer Ben has been given his own “Blank Check” for selecting a one-off film to review and he’s cashing it in with 1985’s cult comedy Fletch. Is this one of Chevy Chase’s strongest performances? What happened to actress Dana Wheeler-Nicholson? Out of all the movies ever made Ben picked Fletch? But why? Together, the trio discuss Chevy Chase’s tumultuous reputation and career, nostalgia for these types of comedies and character actors,...
2016-06-17 20:09:00 +0000 UTC View Post
In the final episode of the Podchowski Casters mini series, Griffin and David discuss 2003’s collection of animated short films detailing the Matrix expanded universe, The Animatrix. Are Part I and Part II of Second Renaissance a successful prequel to the first Matrix? Does the short “World Record” set it’s own record for the most on-screen knee sweat? What are #thetwofriends final thoughts on the Wachowskis? Together they examine the nine short films featuring several collaborators w...
2016-06-10 18:46:00 +0000 UTC View Post